Throwing Down the Gauntlet

[femkes_follies]

Much talk has been circulating in LJ land lately regarding SCA Arts and Sciences Faires/competitions/events etc. Much of it has dealt with how to encourage participation without turning things into a group hug. How do you get useful commentary to those who need it? How do you find and encourage people who are interested in the things that you're interested in.

(small note: Frankly, this journal has done a huge amount of good for my interests, confidence and abilities. Mostly cause y'all are the most flagrant bunch of enablers I've ever seen. Thanks!)

So I'm going to goad any of the Friendly MK Laurels (mostly because I'm selfish, and I'm aiming this in a way that I can participate myself) into a little exercise if they're so inclined:

Pick an event taking place in the next 12 months. Contact the A&S coordinator for that event, and set up a Laurel's Challenge. Designate for the event a "Challenge Project" for interested parties to create. Your rules only apply. Provide each participant with a token. If you like, choose a winner and provide a "prize." This way, you can judge something you know is within your sphere - and find folks interested in those things you're good at. I offer an example from an East Kingdom event:

http://dragonshiphaven.eastkingdom.org/stfestus/challenge.html

Now, it doesn't have to be recreating a single item. Throw it open to, oh, 16th century French Milinery. Or whatever. Require whatever documentation you like. It's you challenging whoever wants to participate.

And if you think it's a worthwhile idea, feel free to propagate it on whatever lists you like.

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Comments

[odettedamboise.livejournal.com]

Ooooo! I like it! I wish I were a Laurel just for this purpose.

I will see if I can put the screws to my Laurel and/or my husband's Laurel (who are conveniently married to each other) and get one of them to do it. It does seem more Audrey's bag than Jamie's but you never know.

[femkederoas.livejournal.com]

Keen. Keep me in the loop if one or both decide it sound slike fun. ;-)

[florentinescot.livejournal.com]

Mind you, I'm not a Laurel -- shoot, I'm not even an apprentice -- but I like this idea!

Like I need more to do...

[mistressarafina.livejournal.com]

Thanks, buddy.

Now I have to think of something cool. My problem is that I like so specific a time period and place that I don't know that anyone else will care as much as me.

I could see me wanting people to make ruffs. I love to make them if not wear them. It doesn't make sense. Could you bring yourself to care about my randomness?

Re: Like I need more to do...

[femkederoas.livejournal.com]

Actually, I think ruffs are cool. I've just never gotten around to making one, though I've been meaning to. After all, they're seen regularly with late period Dutch stuff, too. ;-)

Re: Like I need more to do...

[gwacie.livejournal.com]

I think you'd be surprised how many folks would be interested in giving it a shot if they had a good excuse :)

Re: Like I need more to do...

[ablackram.livejournal.com]

ooooh a ruff contest. :)

If you had ruffled chemises and partlets too, might bring in a few more. But in reference to would we care. Heck yes we care about your randomness. That's what makes you fun!

[gwynubis.livejournal.com]

Ohhh... I'm liking this idea. *ponder*
Gwyneth, food laurel. ;)

[femkederoas.livejournal.com]

*g* I'd be interested to see what you come up with for a challenge. I haven't done a whole lot of cooking - more baking and preserving. But it's fun!

[gwynubis.livejournal.com]

Hmm.. Cousin Broom is the instigator of this in the East. hmm...